Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy and Resources (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Strategy and Resources that required the Committee to undertake a quarterly review of the Corporate Risk Register as assurance that the corporate risks were being managed effectively.

The Chairperson introduced the report and deferred to the Assistant Director – Programmes, Performance and Governance to present the detail. She advised that the report covered the corporate risk register from July – October 2023. Section 3.3 of the covering report set out the changes to risks since quarter 1 and the Officer highlighted a number of these, including one risk which had seen an increase in its risk rating.  Appendix 1 to the report provided a summary of the Corporate Risk Register, along with the latest ratings, officer commentary, the control strength of each risk and any mitigating actions.  Progress of all active mitigating actions was detailed in Appendix 2. 

The Chairperson moved the recommendations as set out in the report and this was duly seconded.

In response to a lengthy debate and a number of questions raised in relation to Risk 4 (Damage to the Council’s reputation associated with delays to planning infrastructure delivery in the District by third parties which is due to support approved development) and the impact to St. Peter’s hospital and the Maldon link road had to it, Officers provided the following information:

·                  the Director of Strategy and Resources reminded Members St Peters Hospital was the responsibility of the NHS, although the Council had a role in working with the NHS as part of the overall public sector to try and bring forward the Hospital.  He highlighted some of the current issues on which the NHS were undertaking a consultation and how there was long history of the work the Council had undertaken in relation to the Hospital, as detailed by some Members during the debate. 

·                  The consultation would involve public and online meetings along with discussions with Members of Parliament.

·                  The Council was continuing to work with the NHS (and other partners) to find opportunities to provide and maintain services with the Maldon District. 

·                  In response to a question, the Director of Strategy and Resources agreed to ask the NHS to confirm the provisions they would be putting in place for residents of the District having to travel to hospitals outside of the District once St. Peters Hospital closed. 

·                  Members were reminded that representatives of the NHS would be attending the next meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to provide an update on all areas of concern.

·                  In respect of the Maldon link road, the Director advised it was his understanding that there had been a delay to the release of funding along with other issues.  The Assistant Director – Planning and Implementation informed the Committee that the Council had been challenging Essex County Council to determine whether there were alternative ways of delivering the relief road, for example if it could be delivered in stages and he gave some examples of this. 

The Chairperson moved the recommendations set out in the report and these were duly agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)                That Members reviewed the Corporate Risk Register in Appendix 1 to the report and provided comment and feedback for consideration;

(ii)              That Members reviewed progress of the Corporate Risk Mitigating actions in Appendix 2 and provided comment and feedback for consideration;

(iii)             That Members were assured through this review that corporate risk is being managed effectively;

(iv)             That Members challenged risk where the Committee felt that the Council’s corporate goals may not be achieved.